Americas News
Washington Panel Gives Tacoma LNG Plant Go Ahead After Permit Appeal
Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE's) proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant at the Port of Tacoma, Washington that will also support LNG bunkering, Monday received support from a state panel that upheld one of the project's major permits, local media reports.
The decision by the Shorelines Hearings Board enables development of the facility to move ahead.
"It’s an affirmation of the work Puget Sound Energy has done to make sure the project complies with all applicable regulations and protects the environment," said Grant Ringel, spokesman for PSE, noting that the project is on schedule, with demolition to clear the site set to begin this year.
The permit, which allows PSE to develop part of the Commencement Bay shoreline, is reported to have been appealed by the Puyallup Tribe, arguing the project would present negative impacts to the Blair Waterway.
The Shorelines Hearings Board’s rejected the argument, finding that the proposed project "achieves no net loss of ecological functions."
Carolyn Lake, general counsel for the port, said the board "did a great job of carefully considering the issues."
PSE's proposed project will see the LNG facility constructed on 30 acres of the peninsula between the Blair and Hylebos waterways.
In May, Tarika Powell and Eric de Place, writing for think tank Sightline Institute (Sightline), questioned the safety of the proposed LNG bunkering facility in Tacoma.
